Authorities find large weapons cache, explosives in Rio Linda home

Suspect arrested at Placer County traffic stop

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a large weapons cache and explosives and other items inside a Rio Linda home.

SOURCE: KCRA

Authorities find large weapons cache, explosives in Rio Linda home

Suspect arrested at Placer County traffic stop

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Updated: 4:47 PM PDT Aug 19, 2013

RIO LINDA, Calif. (KCRA) —

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a large weapons cache and explosives inside a Rio Linda trailer.

The man who lives in the trailer, Andreas H. Koertel, 46, was arrested in Placer County on Thursday during a traffic stop. He was taken to Placer County Jail on multiple charges, including possession of illegal weapons and posession of methamphetamine.

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With the consent of the property owner, Sacramento County sheriff's deputies searched the trailer in the 5800 block of 24th Street.

The search, which took several hours, revealed a cache of weapons, including four assault rifles, a shotgun, a rifle and five handguns.

One of the handguns and two of the rifles were equipped with silencers, detectives said.

In addition, officers recovered more than 20 high-capacity magazines, between 20,000 and 30,000 rounds of ammunition, multiple passports, and more than $33,000 in cash.

The search also uncovered explosives materials, jars of black powder, a pipe bomb and numerous "cricket bombs," which are modified Co2 cartridges packed with powder and a wick.

The cricket bombs were detonated at the scene by bomb squads from the Sacramento County Sheriff's office and the FBI.

Authorities believe all of the items found on the property belong to Koertel, who remains in the Placer County Jail.

"He's obviously got familiarity with the bomb-making material and devices to manipulate it, to store it, to feel comfortable with having it in his possession," said Sgt. Jason Ramos, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

"So someone with the worst intentions can do a lot of damage with this stuff," Ramos said.

KCRA 3 spoke to the owner of the property where Koertel lives. Lad Wentzel said he was also Koertel's employer.

"He was an electrical technician. He did fuel injection systems and computer troubleshooting on marine products," Wentzel said. "He was very smart, very industrious, always fiddling with gadgets."

"He's not a terrorist. He wasn't going to shoot anybody and he wasn't violent. He was just an overgrown teenager," he continued.

However, neighbor John Burns was afraid for his family. He said Koertel spent every night shooting and cautioned his grandchildren to stay away.

"(He did) target practice all the time. I always wonder,'What are you shooting at?' Bang, bang, bang! How many times can you shoot at the same target?" Burns said.

Another neighbor was surprised to hear Koertel had so many explosives stored.

"This is a peaceful town. We never had something like this happen before and it's crazy," said Robert Trowber.